Gated Communities

VIP clubs (in Richmond?) aren't only for the chosen few.

We may tell ourselves Richmond's easy to love, but the city still needs to shore up its self-esteem on the hip index. These VIP spots provide the perfect pick-me-up when New York envy's got you down.

Spot: Paradise at Manhattan's on 5th Street downtown.

Signature furniture: Rows of double-wide deep leather armchairs.

Dress code: Dress to impress, but jeans and heels work if you can pull it off.

Added bonus: An elevator to the second floor accommodates those hurt-so-good heels.

Music: Hip-hop, R&B, soul.

Accessibility: Downstairs shouldn't be a problem, but to get to the VIP-area upstairs, which offers a view of the floor and access to private rooms tucked in back, you'll probably need to know somebody.

Flavor of VIP: The sophisticated tone and mellow lighting make it a good place to impress a date, but laid-back enough that you could talk, too.

Manhattans, 112 N. Fifth St., 644-5777

Spot: Pearl, formerly Reflections, in Shockoe Bottom.

Signature furniture: White leather semicircular couch.

Dress code: No sneakers or baseball hats.

Added bonus: Video games in the sunken lounge up front and a huge dance floor in the back.

Music: Hit parade hip-hop and R&B courtesy of a live DJ.

Accessibility: We got turned away on the first attempt, so show up early Friday nights. Getting in shouldn't be a problem during the week, and who knows what has to happen to land in the Space-Age VIP pod attached to the bar.

Flavor of VIP: The purple walls, white furniture, metallic bar and illuminated light panels make the place feel like Austin Powers on hip-hop night.

Pearl Restaurant Lounge & Martini Bar, 1713 E. Main St., 225-8199

Spot: The Bull & Bear sits on the 21st floor of One James Center office building downtown.